One Case Study of Public Opinion from Micro-blog: Perspective from Negative Public Emergencies

Abstract

Using the Sina Micro-blogs related to the China restaurant assault as a source, this study explores the pattern of public opinion evolution related to negative public emergencies and the reasons behind it. This paper divides the public opinion development process into four stages according to the change of micro-blog volume, namely, the gestation period, the climax period, the fluctuation period and the recession period. It also analyzes the change of public opinion focus based on the high-frequency words in different periods. The study found that surveillance videos sparked outrage during the gestation period, and the controversy about gender opposition pushed public opinion to its peak. During the fluctuating period, conscious public scrutiny could maintain the heat of the event. At the same time, the fluctuating period also showed an obvious phenomenon of emotional infection and catharsis. In addition, this paper analyzes the first police notification micro-blog of this incident, and finds the worthwhile improvements of official government micro-blog accounts in responding to such incidents.